The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine turns over but it won't start.

I have a 1953 5 window 3600 flatbed pickup with a 216 engine. We installed new points, condenser, plugs and rebuilt the carb. Its a Rochester 1 barrel. The engine turns over with the starter but (the engine) won't run. We are putting gasoline into the carb per the feed tube not from the gas tank. This truck had been parked in a field for years and I'm not sure of the tanks condition. Can anyone give us some ideas on what to check out regarding wiring and other possibilities? Thanks...

You say the starter wont run, guess that means won't crank the engine over? So you can push the truck then drop the clutch to try and start, or fix the starter. Take each system at a time electrical, fuel etc you'll find it.

Yes, the starter turns the engine over and it acts like the engine will start. It tries and tries but the engine does not fire up and continue running. This vehicle sat in a field for years and the engine was set up. We sprayed oil into the spark plug holes and let it set for days. We examined the flywheel from below and found it was packed full of mouse debris and it wouldn't turn. We kept moving it back and forth and finally was able to get the engine turning over by the flywheel. We removed the starter from the vehicle and it would operate from the six volt battery. We then found that the engine would turn over and the rest is history as I previously noted at the start of my posting.

Might try advancing the timing a little.

Thanks for the input. Do you know if the firing order is in fact 1-5-3-6-2-4 for a 1953 216 engine? Also, is the firing order clockwise around the distributor? Do you think that pouring gasoline into the carb feed tube would supply enough gasoline to at least get the engine to start or would it maybe require a full fuel load pressure as supplied by the fuel pump? I'm sorry if this sounds like basic questions but, I never had an older vehicle before and really don't know anything about the wiring and other systems for this vehicle. Any information you or others can supply will be GREATLY appreciated.

Sorry, I missread your post first time around. You need to determine if it's a spark or fuel problem. If the engine will run even for a few seconds by pouring gas in the carb, then you need to check out the entire fuel system, tank, lines, fuel pump etc, all may need attention. Next while cranking you need to find out if the plugs are getting spark, you can use a clamp on timing light, if the light flashes you should have some zap. Also you can put a probe type voltage tester between the end of the plug wire and ground, will flash.

And as mentioned timing could be off a bit. If all this fails you need to begin a complete tune up starting with a compression test etc etc. Best of luck.

Could have some stuck valves. Pop the valve cover and check the valve train out and make sure everything is working right.

is the ignition on/making conductivity?verify spark to each plug? if not, find out why. use ether, and run a hose directly from the carb to a small container of gas, and keep the container above the carb. be careful of flooding

make sure the points are adjusted and also clean them good, use a business card between them while holding them closed gently while pulling the card through.

My 235 had been sitting for years and did the exact same thing. I had mine on an external fuel tank, and a good battery and it would just not light off. I popped the distributor cap and took a nail file to the points. Just the slightest brush against them, and she fired right up.

my 2 cents.

If you haven't checked for spark. attach a plug wire to a spare spark plug and lay it on the motor. You should see it spark as you turn it over. With the points clean and adjusted properly the timing should be set to UDC at the triangle. Also you need to have full choke when you first fire it up. Moving the timing slightly can help sometimes.

Update. My brother removed the valve cover today and found three of the valves were stuck. He said they were bent over like bananas and completely out of the rocker arms. Looks like we have more problems than I had anticipated. Thanks for everyones input on this issue.

Ignition module ? Check your wires to starter etc.